Build up to the Dublin Derby has been extensive this week with a massive clash in Dalymount Park live on Virgin Media Two but there’s also games around the country with a more and more riding on them as the season progresses.
Build up to the Dublin Derby has been extensive this week with a massive clash in Dalymount Park live on Virgin Media Two but there’s also games around the country with a more and more riding on them as the season progresses.
Highlights
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers
Dalymount Park, 19:45
LIVE ON VIRGIN MEDIA TWO
There’s been a serious history between these two over the years but as the League has gotten bigger it has become more and more of an occasion as the years have gone on.
Bohemians’ fine start to the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division has only been dented by another local Derby away to Shelbourne in March and Stephen Bradley will be hoping tomorrow’s Derby can bring another twist to an extraordinary start to the season.
The defending Champions, though playing well at times, suffered a slow start to the season, but came to life last week away to Dundalk with a thumping 4-0 win.
This sold-out game has the potential to set Bohs up for a somewhat unexpected title race or bring Shamrock Rovers right back into the frame.
Add the bragging rights between parts of North and South Dublin and we’ve got a fascinating encounter.
Keith Buckley is back in Dalymount for this edition of the Derby and Declan Devine has sung his praises this week.
“Keith Buckley has been missing out of the changing room for Bohs for over a year,” he said.
“And, when you’re allowed nine subs, you sacrifice one for Keith to have an involvement in the changing room.
“You’re freeing up a space on the bench for his impact and input around the team, leading into the game,” he added.
Shamrock Rovers, however, will see tomorrow as the perfect opportunity to restate their title credentials emphatically.
St Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City
Richmond Park, 19:45
Tim Clancy was buoyed last week with an emphatic 3-0 win over UCD and will be looking for a second win-in-a-row tomorrow against Colin Healy’s Cork City.
A second win on the bounce would do wonders for the Saints’ confidence and set them up nicely for a move up the table – though Clancy is fully aware of the threat that Cork City pose.
“Ruairi Keating is a big focal part for them, he has scored five this season already,” Clancy told the media during the week.
“We’re going to have to be wary of Ruairi. He’s very good in the air and runs the channels well. It’s not just him, there will be multiple players in their team we’ll have to keep quiet.
“They have a lot of players who won the First Division title last year under Colin (Healy) and have added a few more as well. I thought they would be very good this season.
“Scoring four goals in Tallaght (4-4 against Shamrock Rovers) was a huge achievement and they were unlucky with the late goals they conceded. It’s going to be very tough. We’ll have to be at the top of our game if we want to get anything out of it,” he added.
Colin Healy has been taking positives from the chances that Cork City have been creating and said “if we perform, we will win the game” in bullish form ahead of Friday night’s clash.
A win for Cork would have big ramifications around Inchicore and set Cork’s new era in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division alight.
Watch the game live on LOITV!
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Wexford v Galway United
Ferrycarrig Park, 19:45
Galway United stand on the edge of history on Friday night as they can secure their longest ever winning run in the League of Ireland with an eight win in a row.
Galway equalled their best ever sequence of wins at seven with last week’s win over Athlone Town. Four of those wins are away from home.
The best ever winning start to a SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division season for any club was Limerick back in 2016 when they won their opening 12.
The all-time best start to a League of Ireland season was 15 set by Bohemians in 1923 exactly 100 years ago!
Wexford will be pulling out all of the stops this Friday to ensure that that doesn’t happen however with goals of their own.
James Keddy’s men will consider themselves in Play-Off contention and know a result tomorrow can help them towards that target.
With Waterford appointing Alan Reynolds to Keith Long’s background team – John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan know they are in for a proper title battle this season and will be looking to maintain their gap as much as possible.
Full fixtures
Friday, 7 April, 2023 – 19:45
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers
Derry City v Drogheda United
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers
St Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City
UCD v Shelbourne
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town
Cobh Ramblers v Waterford
Kerry v Finn Harps
Treaty United v Longford Town
Wexford v Galway United
